<p>When Mem and Larry Halstead want to see their friends, the hop in an RV, drive 1,000 miles from Virginia to Thibodaux, don gloves and help build a house. </p><p>The Halsteads are what Habitat for Humanity have dubbed Care-A-Vanners who trek around the country helping build homes as they travel. </p><p>“We've made so many friends doing this now,” Mem said.</p><p>They were in Thibodaux over the past two weeks working on a St. Charles Street home and catching up with three couples they've built with in the past. </p><p>“Its kind of like a big family that we don't get to see during the year,” Mem said. </p><p>The Halsteads spend part of the year escaping the winter weather while travelling. They coordinate builds with their caravanning friends via email. </p><p>“We called them as soon as we saw this build (online),” Mem said. </p><p>On the most recent Thibodaux build, the Halsteads were accompanied by two couples from New York and another from Georgia. They've worked with them all on multiple builds in the past.</p><p>“We have been doing this for years,” said Jeff Rothwell of Marietta, Ga. “Each time we get together we get a chance to catch up and talk about family and what has been happening.” </p><p>This most recent build has been going on for two weeks. The team helped install the roof, fix some warped paneling, installed hurricane clips and were putting windows in on the last day. </p><p>“The satisfaction is knowing there will be a family that is way better off than before,” said Larry, a retired mechanical engineer. </p><p>But it isn't all work for the travelers. </p><p>“Every afternoon we have a little happy hour where we might sip some wine or a beer and enjoy each others' company,” Larry said. “It's a fellowship time for us, and we get to get out of the snow.” </p><p>The crew said they enjoy eating out and the local restaurants at night. They also took in some local culture on a swamp tour and went to Houma's St. Patrick's Day parade. </p><p>It is their third build in Thibodaux. </p><p>“We love it,” Mem said. “The people are so friendly, and they treat us so well.” </p><p>Rothwell said the trip provides both socialization and satisfaction.</p><p>“Once you are retired you lose some of that social interaction from your job,” Rothwell said. “You also want to give back, and this gives us an opportunity to help people, not just be a tourist.”</p>